Rhett Kouba Stats & Scouting Report

IP	42.1
ERA	5.95
WHIP	1.84
BB/9	6.8
SO/9	6.38

Full name Rhett Owen Kouba
Born 09/03/1999 in Woodward, OK
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Dallas Baptist
Drafted in the 12th round (358th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2021 (signed for $125,000).

View Draft Report

After two seasons at North Central Texas JC, Kouba pitched his way out of the Dallas Baptist bullpen and into the team’s weekend rotation. He was impressively consistent after the role switch—he went 6-2, 2.77 overall with 87 strikeouts in 76.2 innings. He also demonstrated above-average control, walking only 23 batters. The 6-foot righthander has three usable pitches that all project as average and all three play up because of his impressive command. His 90-92 mph fastball will touch 94-95 and he spots it well. He does a good job of commanding his sweepy low-80s slider, but it’s not much of a bat-misser. His 83-85 mph changeup does flash above-average as it has some fade and he does a good job of starting it at the bottom of the zone where its deception and action can toy with hitters.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 40/Medium

Track Record: Kouba spent two seasons at north Central Texas JC before transferring to Dallas Baptist. After beginning the 2021 season in a relief role, Kouba made a successful jump into the starting rotation. The Astros selected Kouba in the 12th round and signed him for $125,000. Kouba spent 2022 across both Class A levels before beginning 2023 with Double-A Corpus Christi. With Corpus Christi, Kouba posted a 3.27 ERA, struck out 118 against 23 walks and was named the league’s pitcher of the year. He was promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Aug. 26 and made five appearances over the final month.

Scouting Report: Kouba is undersized and doesn’t have much power behind his pitch mix. His four-seam fastball sits between 91-92 mph and touches 93 but plays up due to his deceptive low three-quarters slot. Kouba commands his fastball extremely well, particularly at the top of the zone where he can generate whiffs. Kouba throws a slider, curveball and changeup and uses them all at a near-equal rate. Kouba’s mid-80s changeup with plenty of tumble is his best offspeed. His slider is a low-80s sweeper that is used mostly against righties. Kouba’s curveball sits in the high 70s with heavy two-plane break. The curveball is used in tandem with his changeup against lefties. He has strong strike-throwing abilities and shows the ability to command his arsenal. Kouba lacks the power of typical major league starters but he gets the most out of his profile with command and movement.

The Future: Kouba looks like an up-and down starter with the ability to develop into a no. 5 starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 40 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

Career Transactions

Sugar Land Space Cowboys activated RHP Rhett Kouba from the 7-day injured list.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys placed RHP Rhett Kouba on the 7-day injured list.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys activated RHP Rhett Kouba from the 7-day injured list.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys sent RHP Rhett Kouba on a rehab assignment to FCL Astros.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys sent RHP Rhett Kouba on a rehab assignment to FCL Astros.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys placed RHP Rhett Kouba on the 7-day injured list.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Rhett Kouba to spring training.
RHP Rhett Kouba and assigned to Corpus Christi Hooks from Asheville Tourists.
Corpus Christi Hooks activated RHP Rhett Kouba.